Time stamp



June 5, 1923. 1,457,410

W. H. THOMPSON TIME STAMP Filed OC'I.. 25, 1921 Figi Patented June 5, 1923.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM H. THOMPSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TIME STAMP.

Application filed.- October 25, 1921. Serial No. 510,231.

T all who/m, it may concern.' Y

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. THOMP- SON, a citizen ofthe United States, and a provide thereby an organized unit which may be readily associated with complementary elements of various types and kinds Whether in the original. manufacture of time stamps or in the repair and rebuilding of l them.

My invention will best be understood by reference tothe following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

i Fig. l is a side elevation of a printing` mechanism for time stamps, the cooperating .parts of a time stamp on which such va mechanism might be usedbeing indicated in dotted lines:

Fig. 2 is a. plan View of the same on an enlarged scale; l Fig. 8 is a detail as seen from the bottom of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. z

vIn accordance with my invention as disclosed in the present illustrative embodiment I provide asa unitary and self-contained arrangement printing and recording mechanisms-which may be connected with a conventional clock movement to provide a time stamp and herein the printing elements are supported by a frame including side bars 7 connected by 'a central web 9 and supporting at their ends casings 11 in which are mounted reels for anfinking ribbon 13 adapted to extend across the face of the types. The side bars7 and web 9 may conveniently be cast andthecasings 11 are most readily formed from vsections of pipe secured to the ends \of lthe bars 7. Formed on or secured to the web 9 I have shown a die or printing element 15 representing a clock dial and with this ,may cooperatel the annular die 17 providing for the printing of an hour indication andthe die 19 for the printing of a minute indication. These dies are swivelled in the web 9 and suitable means are provided for clutching them to a clock movement to be turned thereby and I have here shown (see Fig. 1) a suitably formed spindle 21 carried by the die 17 and projecting downwardly beyond the bottom of the frame and a spindle 23 projecting from the die 19. In cases where it is desired to have an indication of the meridian a shift-able die 25 (see Fig. 2) may be provided having a similar spindle 27 clutching with the meridian operating mechanism usual in clock movements designed foruse in time stamps. In the present inst-ance this die 25 is adapted to rint alternatively the letter A or the letter and a stationary but removable type 29 is used to print the letter M. l

The spaces between the arms 7 of the frame on either side of the central web 9 are utilized to support other desired printing elements which are so arranged on transverse axes extending between the side bars as to be disposed entirely above the lower faces of these bars as will presently be more fully explained. Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, I there show a drum 31 in which may be mounted suitable logotypes for printing, for example, such words as Received, Answered and the like, which drum is adapted to be rotated by a suitably inscribed handle 33 projecting at the side of the frame to bring one or another.

type uppermostfor printing. A spring pressed stud 85 may cooperate with the sides of a polygonal element 37 on the drum for locking it in adjusted position. Also disposed on a transverse or horizontal axis extending between the arms 7, as shown at the lower part of Fig. 2, are a number of type wheels, 41, ai', 51 and 57, which are utilized to print a date. I-Ierein the number of the day is printed by two wheels, 41 and 47, each printing a single digit, and thus these wheels may be made of small diameter and, turning on a transverse aXis as set forth, may be arranged so that they are disposed, as best shown by' Fig. 4, entirely above the lower surface of the frame. These wheels are preferably arranged so that they may be shifted by handles disposed at the side of the frame. I have herein (see Fig. 4) shown a spindle 39 on which isv mounted the tens printing wheel -11 and which may be turned by the handle or knob 43 secured to the end ot the spindle 39 at the exterior of a bar T, Mounted to turn on the spindle 39 is the sleeve Shaft 45 .carrying the units printing wheel t7 and adapted itself to be turned by the knob 1S). The wheel or Wheels 51 which print the minutes are mounted on a similar sleeve shat't 5B operated by knob 55 at the opposite side ot' the trame. Obviously this principle might be extended but I have herein shown a year printing' wheel 5T mounted to turn loosely about the sleeve shaft 45 and adjustable by hand when necessary. Suitable spacing sleeves 59 maybe utili/,ed yto yassist in positioning the various Wheels relatively to the bars 'i' of the frame. y

The Wheels may be positioned by the usual ratchets with which cooperate paivls 61 (sec Fig. pivoted adjacent the lower side of web 9 and vwhich may be pressed home by the tongues or teeth ot a comb-like spring (33 secured .to the under side of that Web. Y

As indicated in Fig. 2, the various handles are suitably inscribed to correspond With the types on the Wheels.

As lis best shown by Figs. 1 and il, the frame on lwhich the various printing` elements are mounted and which carries inhing mechanism, typified herein by the ribbon 13, presents t its under side a smooth surface from which project solely the spindles for operating the hour printing dies as distinguished from the types for printing the dates and other legends. rlhe under surface of the .drum 31`and of the various date printing` Wheels are above the level or" the lower portions oi the side bars 7, as clearly shown by Fig. 4L. The lower surface of the frame is thus adapted to be placed againsta clock casing and to mate With anyl suitable smooth surface thereon with the spindles 21 and projecting into such casing for connection with a suitable clock movement. `Thus, referring to Fig. 1, I have there shown the body of time stamp of conventional form having a clock enclosing casing 65 and having` a Hat surztace 67 around the margin ot a suitable opening giving access to Athe clock movement. Opposing this casing is the platen 69. The

flat under surface ot the frame may be applied to such a surface 67 and secured in position by screws passing through the openings 71 (see Fig. 2). The spindles 21 and 23 and il the meridian changing dial is used, which is possible only with clocks having a meridian actuating mechanism, the spindle 27 Will project through the opening inthe casing into cooperation with the clock movement. Only the hour shitting dies, which necessarily have to be connected with a clock, need attention although provision is made for a printing ot much other data. T he other printing types, however, are arranged in a small and compact torni and in such manner that they do not interfere in any way with securing the printing mechanism as a whole in position on the clock casing. This is true also in instances Where the casingl is itself designed to carry day printing or other printing elements as these may be conveniently removed or omitted and the printing types ot the `present device will take their place.

Having thus described the particular embodiment of my invention shown by Way ot example in the accompanying drawings in great detail, not for the purpose ot defining the subject matter ot invention but in order that the arrangement of parts illustrated might clearly be understood, the principles exemplified thereby which I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent I shall express in the following claims.

Claims- 1. A self-contained printing member for time stamps comprising a frame having means for supporting an inking ribbon with a portion extending over the tace of the frame, date printing Wheels carried by the trame, hour printing dies carried by the frame and having operating shafts, means for securing said member to a clock casing, said `member presenting an even surface to mate with the casing from which surface project solely the shafts for operating the hour printing dies.

2. As a unit for use in the construction of time stamps, a frame, reel casings at the ends thereof thereby to provide for training an inking ribbon over the face of the trame, hour printing dies carried by the trame, and shiitable type elements for printing` other data also carried by the frame and comprising a pair of numbering wheels for printing the number of kthe day of the month, and means exterior to the frame for shitting said elements beneath the ribbon.

3 A type holder for time stamps comprising a frame having provision for training an inlring ribbon thereover, a series of date printing Wheels Within the contines of the trame, hour printing types swivelled in the frame and having means for clutching to a conventional clock movement exterior to the frame.

4. A self-contained type carrying member for time stamps comprising a pair of side bars, ribbon casings at the end thereof, shiftable printing elements organized to turn on one or more axes extending transversely between such bars, handles at the sides of the bars for shifting such elements and hour printing types sxvivelled in the frame having shafts projecting therefrom for clutching to a clock movement.

5. A time stamp comprising a casinglcontaining a clock movement, said easing havtime stamps comprising a frame having side bars and a connecting web, reel easings mountedy on the ends of said side bars, a jour-- nal extending between said bars and supporting numbering wheels for printing a date, said wheels being disposed above the lower surface of the frame, and hour printing types swivelled in the web and having spindles depending from the frame.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM H. THoMPsoN. 

